Jenkins, along with fellow props Iestyn Thomas and Ben Evans, have copped a great deal of flak since Sunday's Six Nations defeat against France.

But Howells, who works with Jenkins on a daily basis at the Warriors, said, "I don't think, I know that Gethin will bounce back from this and become a better player for it.

"The criticism will hurt him because he takes his rugby very seriously. Having said that, he is very resilient and exceptionally diligent and he will use that resilience to prove a few people wrong over the coming weeks and months."

Jenkins, who has been asked to switch from the loosehead to the tight by the Welsh management, came under intense pressure in the second half of the game against the French.

In the end, coach Steve Hansen introduced Blues tighthead Ben Evans and switched Jenkins back to the loosehead. However, with precious little weight coming through from Michael Owen's side of the second row, the front row was badly exposed in the final half an hour.

"The fact that they were pushed around a bit will hurt all of the lads in the front five, nobody likes that to happen, especially in such a high-profile game.

"But we have a game in two weeks time where we can try to put a few things right and I have confidence in the likes of Gethin to do just that.

"I know for sure that Gethin and Mefin (Davies) will be working hard on the areas of concern."